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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning a transformative shift in its aerial warfare doctrine, aiming to integrate a formidable fleet of 300 to 400 unmanned stealth aircraft by the 2040s.
This strategic initiative, which will comprise approximately 20 squadrons, is being pursued separately from the IAF's existing goal of maintaining 42 squadrons of manned combat jets.
The plan outlines a sophisticated, multi-layered force structure featuring a mix of loyal wingman drones, autonomous bombers, and advanced unmanned combat aircraft.
This futuristic fleet is seen as essential for enhancing India's military posture in a complex geopolitical landscape.
A senior IAF official stated that these platforms, varying in weight from one to thirteen tons, will be critical in securing an advantage in contested airspace, particularly against regional rivals like China and Pakistan.
The introduction of these systems aligns with global military trends, where leading air forces are developing autonomous platforms to augment their conventional fleets, reduce risk to pilots, and gain a technological edge.
The proposed 20 unmanned squadrons are expected to be organized into three distinct categories, each designed for specific roles within a networked and integrated battlespace:
1. Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
Expected to form the majority of the fleet with 10-12 squadrons, CCAs are designed for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).In this role, they will function as "loyal wingmen," controlled by pilots in advanced fighters like the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas Mk2, and the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
These relatively low-cost and expendable 1-5 ton drones will be equipped with advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, and weapons such as the BrahMos-NG missile or the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
Their primary missions will include suppressing enemy air defences (SEAD), intelligence gathering, and overwhelming adversaries through sheer numbers.
2. Tactical Stealth Fighter Bombers
These mid-sized drones, weighing between 5 and 10 tons, will operate as autonomous strike platforms.Drawing inspiration from international designs like the American Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, they will feature low-observable (stealth) characteristics and internal weapons bays to carry precision munitions.
Their main purpose will be to conduct deep penetration strikes against high-value targets such as enemy airfields, command centres, and naval assets while evading sophisticated radar systems.
3. Unmanned Stealth Fighters
At the top tier of this unmanned force will be heavy platforms of 10-13 tons, exemplified by the indigenously developed Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).These aircraft are intended to possess capabilities rivalling fifth-generation manned fighters, including the potential for supercruise, a significant payload capacity of up to four tons, and advanced Artificial Intelligence for autonomous decision-making.
They will be tasked with undertaking independent combat missions or leading swarms of smaller CCA drones in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
Officials have indicated that while the exact force composition is still under review, the versatility of CCAs in MUM-T operations will make them the backbone of the unmanned fleet.
This tiered approach is designed to provide the IAF with operational flexibility, enabling it to effectively respond to a wide spectrum of threats, from low-intensity border conflicts to a potential two-front war scenario.
However, the ambitious timeline for this project faces significant challenges. The induction of these systems post-2030 is critically dependent on the ability of the DRDO to deliver functional prototypes by 2028 and for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to successfully scale up production.
Any delays in parallel projects, such as the AMCA or the Ghatak UCAV, could disrupt the planned integration.
While international collaboration for key technologies like AI algorithms or stealth coatings could speed up development, it also carries the risk of creating strategic dependencies.
